The year so far

As a tribute to the athleticism and hard work it requires to be a dancer, the organisers of this year’s Sussex Sports Awards invited St Bede’s Legat dancers to provide the entertainment at their awards ceremony in November

The Sussex Sports Awards celebrate the best sportsmen and women in Sussex and also acknowledge the work of coaches, officials, volunteers, sports professionals, parents and clubs.

A combination of Prep and Senior Legat dancers wowed the 600-strong audience with two pieces – a fun and athletic piece for the Prep and Year 9 dancers and a jazzy number for the Senior dancers which incorporated ballet and jazz to the music of War of the Worlds. The Senior piece was choreographed by St Bede’s teacher Natasha Mazzucato.

At the Cabaret concert on 28 November the second section was opened by the Legat Associates who collaborated with the School Choir in a rousing rendition of Food, Glorious Food from the musical Oliver by Lionel Bart. The Legat Dance School came to the fore in Irving Berlin's White Tie, Top Hat and Tails' sung by Elliott Moyle with a dazzling jazz and tap routine swirling around the tables by some of our Legat stars.

On a baking hot Sunday afternoon, while the rest of the country was watching England’s, less than outstanding performance in the World cup, 120 audience members were treated to an altogether more spectacular event - The Legat Summer Show - 2 hours of grace, energy and above all, talent, put on by 60 students of the Legat School at St Bede’s, and our Associate Programme for gifted dancers.

Hours of dedication resulted in a vibrant show featuring many different dance genres, from classical ballet to hip hop, together with songs from musical theatre classics performed by our talented students aged from just five up to sixth formers.

Highlights included the exquisite Act I pas des deux from Giselle danced by Zoe Epstein and Bradley Davidson, supported by an enthusiastic cast of Year 10 dancers; the enchanting Masquerade Suite by Patrick Hinson, the thought provoking contemporary piece, Ophelia, performed by year 11 and the 6th form; and a dazzling song and dance number performed with great vitality and panache by our Level 1 and 2 Associates.

The audience were also treated to a ballroom and Latin performance by the Prep School’s Tabitha Law and her partner, Harrison Keep and a charming interpretation of Pepita’s classic Red Riding Hood from The Sleeping Beauty, featuring some extremely cute wolves!

The Legat and Associate dancers are now preparing, under the guidance of Director of Dance - Mary Goodhew and her team of staff, for their biennial show, scheduled for The Congress Theatre, Eastbourne.